Hotel Maipez
La Calzada, Gran Canaria
Sophisticated little rural hotel created from attractive re-design of country house.
It's become over-used in the travel world, but 'boutique' is
exactly the word to describe this hotel: small, smart, a showcase
of nouveau-rustic design. It perches like a bright yellow canary in
the twisting Guiniguada Valley, surrounded by chunks of solidified
volcanic rock known as maipez.
The country house was built about a century ago, under the leaves
of an even older bay tree, which originally came from England. But
everything else is new. The Roig family, with architect father
supervising, bought the house in 2004 and made a dramatic
conversion. They spruced up the interior courtyards, let old stone
walls peek through new whitewash, bought light and fresh
furnishings, and created 10 airy and modern bedrooms.
There is a glass-encased restaurant with panoramic ravine views,
and tennis courts too. It's only 10 minutes from the capital Las
Palmas, yet feels remote and utterly romantic. A winning
combination of old and new - and quite a rarity in Gran Canaria.
Reviewed by Glenda Richards
Last updated 22 May 2012
Highs
- Smartly designed rooms with refreshing country chic (but not urban minimalism)
- Striking location on 3-hectare estate in volcanic gully
- Use of tennis and paddle courts nearby ('paddle' is like gentle, open-air squash)
Lows
- No CD players in bedrooms
- A hire car is near essential – though you could cab it into Las Palmas (10 minutes) for shopping, beaches and dinner
